If you don’t already know about Weelicious, you’re missing out. She’s a mom who’s taking cooking/baking to a whole new (healthy) level. There are always delish things on her website, and it’s nice to know that they are healthy and tasty. A total no brainer.

Italian Turkey Sliders with Honey Dijon Mayo

Sliders are very popular right now and this version made with ground turkey and baked rather than fried is not only good, but good for you. My kids ate these like there was no tomorrow and even the pickiest of them finished his plate without a complaint. Served with baked Parmesan fries this was the perfect ‘fast food’ meal and the cost per slider is about 45 cents — that’s good, too.

Family meals are making a comeback. Parents are finally not over scheduling their kids and enjoying meals together. They are a great time to talk about everyone’s day, to ask questions and really get involved in your kids like. I like how one family I know all sits down together, even if the other kids have eaten, after their siblings soccer practice so nobody eats alone. Nice!

This article from KidsHealth.org outlines how you can make family meals in your home happen.

Family meals are making a comeback. Shared family meals are more likely to be nutritious, and kids who eat regularly with their families are less likely to snack on unhealthy foods and more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Teens who take part in regular family meals are less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, or use marijuana and other drugs, and are more likely to have healthier diets as adults, studies have shown.

Beyond health and nutrition, family meals provide a valuable opportunity to reconnect. This becomes even more important as kids get older.

Making Family Meals Happen

It can be a big challenge to find the time to plan, prepare, and share family meals, then be relaxed enough to enjoy them.

Try these three steps to schedule family meals and make them enjoyable for everyone who pulls up a chair.

1. Plan

To plan more family meals, look over the calendar to choose a time when everyone can be there.

Figure out which obstacles are getting in the way of more family meals — busy schedules, no supplies in the house, no time to cook. Ask for the family’s help and ideas on how these roadblocks can be removed. For instance, figure out a way to get groceries purchased for a family meal. Or if time to cook is the problem, try doing some prep work on weekends or even completely preparing a dish ahead of time and putting it in the freezer.

2. Prepare

Once you have all your supplies on hand, involve the kids in preparations. Recruiting younger kids can mean a little extra work, but it’s often worth it. Simple tasks such as putting plates on the table, tossing the salad, pouring a beverage, folding the napkins, or being a “taster” are appropriate jobs for preschoolers and school-age kids. Older kids may be able to pitch in even more, such as getting ingredients, washing produce, mixing and stirring, and serving. If you have teens around, consider assigning them a night to cook, with you as the helper.

If kids help out, set a good example by saying please and thanks for their help. Being upbeat and pleasant as you prepare the meal can rub off on your kids. If you’re grumbling about the task at hand, chances are they will too. But if the atmosphere is light, you’re showing them how the family can work together and enjoy the fruits of its labor. Tell them, “Mmm, something smells delicious!”

As we all know, on Thursday we will be in a turkey/carb coma and probably not surfing the Internet to see what’s what. So, I thought I’d share our usual Tasty Thursday on Tuesday. And this does sound delish, and simple. Which is probably a good thing, because I know most of us aren’t cooking anything too glamourous on Friday.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Slice the English muffins in half and place on a baking sheet. Toast lightly in the oven if desired. Set aside.

Place the beef, bell pepper, and oregano in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook, breaking up the large pieces, until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat. Add the pasta sauce and mix well.

To assemble the pizzas, top each muffin half with a 12th of the meat mixture. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top of each. Bake until the cheese melts, 5 to 7 minutes.

Just in time for the upcoming holidays…you know, the ones where you dress the kids up and trot them out in front of the relatives you see once a year and pray for good behavior? Table manners make a big impression on anyone. Brush up on these by practicing at home now and you will receive rave reviews from tough to please Aunt Mildcired!

One of the holiday events we all look forward to is that special day when kids, parents, relatives and family friends gather together to share a meal. However, along with the anticipation comes a serving of anxiety: How will the kids behave at the table? Eating can be inherently gross activity. Will they gross others out at the table or embarrass themselves? How can we help them approach the table with self-confidence, so everyone can enjoy the meal to the max?

You might ask, “Why table manners?” The answer is pretty simple. Table manners are tools that can keep eating and mealtimes as pleasant as possible. Also, if you know which one is your glass, you’re less likely to drink your neighbor’s cider. If you know how to hold your utensils, you’re less likely to spill your food in your lap.

The following manners are fundamental to all meals. Share them with your kids and discuss why they’re important. Make them an expectation for everyone (yes, you too), and practice them together as a family:

Come to the table with clean hands and face. No one wants to look at a dirt-covered face while eating.

Put your napkin on your lap. Use it to wipe food off your face or fingers. It will also protect your clothes in case you spill or drop food into your lap.

Start eating when everyone else does – or when given the okay to start.

Stay seated and sit up straight.

Keep elbows (and other body parts!) off the table while eating.

Chew with your mouth closed and don’t talk until you’ve swallowed. Have your child take a look in a mirror while eating. Then, the reason for keeping your mouth closed will become obvious.

Don’t make bad comments about the food. Someone has spent time and effort to make the meal and negative comments can only hurt feelings.

Say “Please pass the —” instead of reaching. Saying please changes a demand into a request.

Don’t make rude noises like burping or slurping. And if a burp slips in by mistake, say “Excuse me.”

Chat with everyone at the table. You can have that intense one-on-one talk that excludes everyone else later, when you and your friend are on your own.

Ask to be excused when finished. You can also offer to help clear the table.